Awaking at the crack of noon again, we encounter another beautiful, sunny day with no chance of rain. Recovering a bit from a full day of hikes and a 5 mile Smokey Mountain excursion to Abrams Falls, one of the Threatte party demurs at a suggestion to take on the 8 Mile strenuous trek to the magnificent Ramsey Falls. Yes, it was me – Jim. Instead, I encourage a more leisurely drive to Clingmans dome and its very steep ½ mile paved trail leading to a 54-foot observation tower. At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is Great Smoky Mountains National Park's highest point. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the second highest point east of the Mississippi. Located along the state-line ridge, it is half in North Carolina and half in Tennessee. The Appalachian Trail crosses Clingmans Dome, marking the highest point along its 2,144 mile journey.
Mingus Mill was built in 1886 and it uses a water-powered turbine instead of a water wheel to power all of the machinery in the building
. This mill was the largest in the Smokies, serving about 200 families and with customers coming from as far as 15 miles away.
Clingmans Dome and Mingus Mill
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Solola Valley, North Carolina, United States
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2025-02-06